Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, has apologised for the past homophobic persecution of LGBT+ people by Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
In a letter to Peter Tatchell, the Mayor acknowledged that LGBT+ people in Greater Manchester were subjected to “unacceptable discrimination” by GMP and apologised for the “pain and suffering it caused.”
“I apologise to all LGBTQ+ people in Greater Manchester and across the UK for the past failing of GMP,” he wrote, in his capacity as Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner.
The Chief Constable of Greater Manchester, Stephen Watson, has repeatedly refused to say sorry, even when presented with evidence of abusive unlawful homophobic police behaviour
Responding to Mayor Burnham’s apology, Peter Tatchell, Director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation, said:
“I am grateful to Andy Burnham for his clear and unequivocal apology for the historic mistreatment of LGBT+ people by Greater Manchester Police.
“However, it is deeply disappointing that the Chief Constable continues to refuse to say sorry. A mayoral apology, welcome though it is, cannot substitute for an apology from the police force that carried out these abuses.
“An official GMP apology would be a powerful act of accountability, reconciliation and trust-building with LGBT+ communities. We urge the Chief Constable to follow the example set by Mayor Burnham and other police chiefs across Britain.
“Our Foundation will continue to campaign for a full and formal apology from Greater Manchester Police.
